The medical model is rejected by organisations of disabled people, but it still pervades many attitudes towards disabled people.
However the social model has been developed by disabled people in response to the medical model and the impact it has had on their lives. Under the social model, disability is caused by the society in which we live and is not the ‘fault’ of an individual disabled person, or an inevitable consequence of their limitations. Disability is the product of the physical, organisational and attitudinal barriers present within society, which lead to discrimination. The social model takes account of disabled people as part of our economic, environmental and cultural society. Barriers still exist in education, information and communication systems, working environments, health and social support services, transport, housing, and public buildings. The devaluing of disabled people through negative images in the media – films, television and newspapers, also act as a barrier. The social model has been developed with the aim of removing barriers so that disabled people have equal opportunities as everyone else to determine their own life styles.
The social model of disability has fundamentally changed the way in which disability is regarded and has had a major impact on anti-discriminatory legislation. However, some disabled people and academics are involved in a re-evaluation of the social model and they argue that the time has come to move beyond this basic position. (Disability Models, 2006)
“The term ‘Special Educational Needs’ (SEN) has a legal definition, referring to children who have learning difficulties or disabilities that make it harder for them to learn or access education than most children of the same age.” (DirectGov, 2011)
I agree with this statement as I believe SEN is when children need additional help with their learning where as an impairment is the condition that is different from what is expected in a child at particular age or stage of their development.
References
Disability Models, (2006) Medical Model. Available: 8th February. URL:
Disability Models, (2006) Social Model. Available: 8th February. URL:
DirectGov, (2011) Special Educational Needs. Available: 8th February. URL:
